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cnbc.com
Bezos says 2-3 year timeline for space data centers is a 'little ambitious'
Space companies are racing to make data centers in space a reality, as artificial intelligence skyrockets demand for energy and land resources.
cnbc.com
Bezos brushes off concerns of an AI bubble: 'You shouldn't worry about it'
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos shrugged off concerns of a looming AI bubble, saying the massive investments will ultimately drive the technology forward over time.
bbc.com
UK waters down new Russian oil sanctions as fuel prices rise
The change reflects increasing supply concerns over certain fuels due to the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
bbc.com
What's happening to UK petrol and diesel prices?
Motoring group RAC warns pump prices could keep rising if there is no resolution to the Iran war.
bbc.com
Fuel duty freeze extended until the end of the year
Fuel duty was initially cut by 5p in March 2022, under the Conservative government.
theguardian.com
UK delays some sanctions on Russian oil and gas amid Middle East conflict
‘Short-term’ measures on import of jet fuel and diesel, and shipping of LNG, aimed to help tackle soaring pricesBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK has delayed some sanctions on Russian oil and liquefied natural gas to help tackle soaring prices as the conflict in the Middle East disrupts global supplies.A trade licence that came into effect on Wednesday permits the import of jet fuel and diesel refined from Russian crude in third countries while another lifts restrictions on shipping LNG from two Russian terminals. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
College career path ‘over’ as skilled trade get 30% pay bump, recruitment giant says
"I would say you can make a good career and good money in skilled trade. That's definitely a career track," CEO of world's largest recruitment firm told CNBC.
cnbc.com
Iran threatens to extend conflict ‘beyond the region’ if U.S. and Israel resume attacks
Iran's Revolutionary Guard on Wednesday threatened to extend the Middle East conflict "beyond the region" if the U.S. and Israel resume attacks against Tehran.
theguardian.com
More than £52m reserved for social housing at risk after collapse of investment firms
Exclusive: 3,500 social homes could switch to private sector after companies run by Heylo Housing group go into administrationMore than £52m in public money earmarked for social housing is at risk after the partial collapse of one of the England’s fastest-growing housing providers.Two of the investment companies run by the Heylo Housing group, which is backed by the asset managers BlackRock, have gone into administration, leaving the government regulator scrambling to find a rescue deal to protect taxpayers’ money and prevent 3,500 social homes switching to the private sector. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Channel 4 boss apologises after Married at First Sight sexual misconduct allegations
Priya Dogra says she believes channel acted appropriately, but that she is ‘deeply sorry’ for distress of participantsChannel 4’s chief executive has stood by the broadcaster’s treatment of concerns raised by contestants on Married at First Sight, as she said she was “deeply sorry” for the distress of female participants making allegations of rape and sexual misconduct.Priya Dogra said she believed the channel had acted appropriately at the time of the allegations, but that she had commissioned an external review to ensure the show was safe for those taking part. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Taiwan was front and center during Trump's China trip — but absent from Xi’s meeting with Putin
The meetings between China's Xi Jinping and his U.S. and Russian counterparts came just days apart, but there was a stark contrast in tone and content.
theguardian.com
Xi and Putin highlight close China-Russia ties during Beijing visit – video
The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, have praised relations between their countries. During Putin's two-day visit to Beijing, bilateral talks between the leaders reaffirmed Russia and China as close partners in trade and international affairsXi Jinping and Vladimir Putin meet in Beijing less than a week after Trump visit Continue reading...
bbc.com
Domestic rates bills debt hits £1m in Northern Ireland
Advice NI said its debt advice service last year dealt with more than £1 million pounds in total rates debts for the first time.
theguardian.com
UK inflation eases more than expected to 2.8%, led by lower electricity and gas bills – business live
Food inflation slows to 3%, led by meat and chocolate; prices of computer game downloads drop sharply; economists say benign inflation data reduces chances of June rate hikeStamp duty should be scrapped and replaced with a new property wealth tax to fix London’s housing crisis, a leading thinktank has proposed.A report on the capital’s property market suggests an annual tax to replace the levy paid when buying a property and council tax would encourage downsizing and raise funds for social housing. It would also help renters to save a house deposit. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
George Soros group pledges $300m to US economic security and civil liberties
Billionaire philanthropist’s Open Society Foundations has worked to advance justice and human rights around worldFor decades, the Open Society Foundations have worked to advance justice and human rights in Africa, the Middle East and trouble spots around the world. But the OSF’s latest major investment is aimed at a crisis closer to home.On Tuesday, the organisation, founded by the billionaire philanthropist George Soros and headquartered in New York, announced a $300m spend aimed at boosting economic security and defending civil liberties in the US. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
SpaceX picks Goldman Sachs for lead left position on record-breaking IPO, sources say
SpaceX has picked Goldman Sachs to lead what's expected to be a record-setting IPO.
cnbc.com
European stocks rise: UK inflation and elevated bond yields in focus
European stocks rose on Wednesday as global markets keep a close eye on elevated bond yields and UK inflation data.
theguardian.com
‘I don’t worry about a robot takeover’: AI expert Michael Wooldridge on big tech’s real dangers (and occasional blessings)
Almost 50 years after he first got his hands on a computer, the Oxford professor still believes in the power of technology. Can his beloved game theory explain why Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurs consistently misuse it?Michael Wooldridge is like the teacher you wish you’d had: approachable, able to explain difficult things in simple terms, neither dauntingly highbrow nor off-puttingly cool, and genuinely enthusiastic about what he does. “I love it when you see the light go on in somebody, when they understand something that they didn’t understand before,” he says. “I find that incredibly gratifying.”He comes across a regular sort of guy, which, as an Oxford professor with more than 500 scientific articles and 10 books to his name, he clearly isn’t. Typically, his favourite work is his contribution to Ladybird’s Expert Books – an update of the classic children’s series – on artificial intelligence. “I’m very proud of this,” he says, as he hands me a copy from his bookshelf. We’re in his study in the University of Oxford’s somewhat municipal computing department on a sunny spring day. Maybe it’s the campus setting, but our discussion almost takes the form of a seminar. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Uefa vows to take hard line on multi-club ownership in Women’s Champions League
Teams with same owner can not compete togetherHead of women’s football says ‘no exceptions’Uefa’s head of women’s football has said rules prohibiting clubs with the same owner from playing together in the Women’s Champions League will be strictly enforced, dealing a blow to investors such as Michele Kang.Kang owns OL Lyonnes, who are in Saturday’s Women’s Champions League final, and London City Lionesses, whose head coach, Eder Maestre, last week stated their desire to compete for the Women’s Super League title next season. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Six problems with tax-free childcare
Parents can can claim up to £2,000 a year for each child – but many are put off by the clunkiness of the scheme Any parent who has ever used the UK government’s tax-free childcare system knows what a painful experience it is. Each month when I log into my account, I feel a sense of dread and frustration. Why is something that is such a lifeline for so many parents so difficult to use?The scheme gives working parents an extra £2 for every £8 they spend on childcare. You can claim up to £2,000 a year for each child (or up to £4,000 a year for a disabled child). Continue reading...
bbc.com
Inflation falls to 2.8% but is expected to rise from here
Energy prices were lower due to the government's energy bill support package and lower wholesale prices before the Iran war.
bbc.com
Will UK interest rates go up?
The interest rate set by the Bank of England affects mortgage, loan and savings rates for millions.
theguardian.com
Musk and the US government fought an AI anti-discrimination law. The arguments don’t hold up | Genevieve Smith
The justice department’s lawsuit is part of a federal effort to reframe AI consumer protections as ideological overreachThis April, the US Department of Justice joined Elon Musk’s xAI in suing the state of Colorado to kill its AI anti-discrimination law.When the federal government sides with a billionaire against a state trying to protect its residents from AI discrimination, that’s not only a Colorado story. That’s everyone’s story.Dr Genevieve Smith is a postdoctoral research fellow at Stanford University, founder of the Responsible AI Initiative at the UC Berkeley AI Research Lab and a member of professional faculty at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Online child safety campaigners call for US inquiry into Roblox
Groups claim game platform’s design and business model conflict with children’s developmental needsOnline child safety campaigners including Jonathan Haidt, the bestselling writer on the mental health impacts of social media, have called on the Trump administration to investigate Roblox, the booming gaming and chat platform used by 150 million people daily, including a large number of under-13s.Haidt’s Anxious Generation Movement, Fairplay and the rightwing anti-pornography National Center on Sexual Exploitation are among groups claiming Roblox’s design and business model conflict with children’s developmental needs. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Call for food price caps ‘completely preposterous’, says M&S boss
Stuart Machin argues government should reduce tax and regulatory burden on supermarkets insteadThe boss of Marks & Spencer has called a government proposal for voluntary price caps on essential food items “completely preposterous”, saying it should reduce tax and regulatory burdens instead.Stuart Machin, the chief executive of the clothing, homewares, food and beauty retailer, said M&S already lost money on some basic items such as milk, bread and baked beans and made very slim profits on other products such as eggs and sugar. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
A strange paradox has taken hold of the global fashion industry
Fashion brands are doubling down on sustainability even as value-seeking shoppers ignore the pitch.
bbc.com
TV presenter says abusive ex gave her no access to her own money
Ruth Dodsworth's former husband was jailed for coercive and controlling behaviour and stalking.
theguardian.com
Germany urged to stop admiring Beijing and wake up to ‘China Shock 2.0’
‘China has already eaten much of German industry’s lunch and is preparing to start on dinner,’ thinktank saysBusiness live – latest updatesGermany must stop admiring China’s success in the EU or it will sleepwalk into the kind of deindustrialisation the US experienced 25 years ago, a leading Brussels thinktank has said.With China’s surplus with Germany having doubled between 2024 and 2025 from $12bn (£9bn) to $25bn, creating a $94bn trade imbalance, the Centre for European Reform (CER) said Europe’s largest economy risked a repeat of what happened in the US in 2001 when a sudden surge in imports permanently hollowed out towns in the American midwest. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
AI boom reshuffles global stock market pecking order as South Korea and Taiwan surge
A global reshuffling in stock-market hierarchy is underway. AI is propelling Taiwan and South Korea past a couple long-established Western countries.
theguardian.com
Tell us: are you struggling to save enough to retire?
The Pensions Commission said 15 million people were currently not saving adequately for their retirementFifteen million people are currently not saving enough for their retirement, according to the Pensions Commission, who have warned this could rise to as many as 19 million without action.The independent group of experts warned as many as 45% of working-age adults were not saving into a pension at all, despite nearly half of them being in work. Continue reading...
bbc.com
What is happening to UK prices?
The war in Iran is expected to push UK Inflation further above the Bank of England's 2% target.
theguardian.com
‘Spooks hotel’: inside the five-star nerve centre of the US takeover of Venezuela
Diplomats, businessmen and US marines mingle at the JW Marriott hotel in Caracas as deals are done and the country’s resources divvied upOver breakfast in one of the swankiest hotels in Caracas, you can hear them mulling Venezuela’s past, present and future in sporadically hushed tones. As diners tuck in to plates of fried eggs, black beans and arepas, snatched fragments of conversation speak of election roadmaps, political fragmentation and oil-fuelled economic growth.But the murmured discussions are not being conducted in Caribbean Spanish by Venezuelan officials pondering their country’s direction after the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro. The accents are North American and belong to the US officials, diplomats and spies now calling many of the shots here after Donald Trump’s controversial military intervention on 3 January. Neighbouring tables are occupied by huddles of musclebound US marines, tattoos covering their bulging calves, baseball caps covering their heads, and walkie-talkies strapped to their hips. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
I believed sustainable fashion’s hype. But between Everlane and Allbirds, the letdowns keep coming | Clare Press
Sustainability promised to change the industry. With Shein reportedly acquiring Everlane, and Allbirds pivotting from eco sneakers to AI, it seems that promise was mostly marketingIt was always about the money, wasn’t it? For a while there, it seemed like the execs opining sustainability is not a trend, it’s the future actually meant it. But when yet another global brand drops its net zero goals or stops talking about DEI, you do wonder. Recent headlines include Stella McCartney adulterating her eco gloss with a sustainable capsule collection for H&M – don’t worry, she’s just “infiltrating from within” – and Lululemon being investigated for Pfas. The letdowns keep coming.Now the internet is reeling from a report that Shein plans to acquire Everlane, the San Francisco-based sustainable basics brand built on “radical transparency”. Shein is the Chinese ultra-fast fashion giant epitomising murky supply chains and crazy-cheap landfill fashion. They release up to 10,000 styles a day, and have been making headlines of their own over secrecy and alleged links to forced Uyghur labour. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Rachel Reeves to protect ‘critical’ clean energy projects from legal challenges
Chancellor’s planning shake-up would ‘reduce exposure from judicial review on all but human rights grounds’Rachel Reeves is preparing to announce a planning shake-up that would fast-track clean energy and infrastructure projects by curbing judicial reviews, the Treasury has said.The chancellor will propose that parliament should be able to designate and approve the most important clean energy projects as of “critical national importance”, as part of a wider package seeking to soften the economic blow from the Iran crisis. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Supermarkets hit back over pressure to cap price of milk, bread and eggs
A minister confirms talks have taken place but says there will be no mandatory cap on essential food prices.
cnbc.com
Asia markets fall as Treasury yields climb and Iran tensions linger
Asia-Pacific markets fell on Wednesday as investors weighed elevated bond yields and renewed geopolitical tensions.
cnbc.com
Putin-Xi talks revive stalled Russian gas pipeline as Iran war rattles energy markets
Putin is expected to hold talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Wednesday, with the long-stalled Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline topping the agenda.
cnbc.com
Stocks under pressure as correction fears grow and record rally defies geopolitical turmoil
"'The pendulum could swing backwards," analysts said on Tuesday amid mounting warnings that equities could soon change course.
cnbc.com
EU clears major hurdle to finalize U.S. trade pact — and sidestep Trump tariff hikes
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday welcomed a provisional agreement on legislation to remove import duties on U.S. goods.
cnbc.com
UK inflation rate eases to 2.8% in April, but slowdown is expected to be short-lived
Economists polled by Reuters had expected the inflation rate to drop back to 3%, cooling from 3.3% in March.
cnbc.com
Alibaba reveals more powerful Zhenwu AI chip, new LLM
Alibaba announced updates to its AI offerings, including a more powerful chip and a new large language model.
theguardian.com
Nothing sums up the death of accountability like the prospect of Nigel Farage in No 10 | George Monbiot
You’d expect the public face of Brexit to be punished by voters. But history shows that leaders often profit from the chaos they sowThe biggest Brexit donor was the stockbroker Peter Hargreaves. He gave £3.2m to the leave campaign. He justified his enthusiasm as follows: “We will get out there and we will become incredibly successful because we will be insecure again. And insecurity is fantastic.” If you are wondering, “Fantastic for whom?”, the current television ad for the company he co-founded, Hargreaves Lansdown, could supply an answer. It presents itself as a safe haven in times of disruptive change. Among the examples it provides? Brexit.Perhaps our most poignant political folk tale is the notion of accountability. Those who hurt and undermine us will be punished, while those who help us will be rewarded. In reality, little in either business or politics could be further from the truth. A more reliable rule is that those who generate insecurity profit from it.George Monbiot is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Limit social media ban for under-16s to unsafe apps, Starmer urged
Campaigners warn against blanket restrictions and say focus should be on blocking teenagers from platforms with ‘risky’ featuresOnline safety campaigners have urged Keir Starmer to block under-16s from accessing social media apps that do not meet strict safety standards, instead of implementing a broader Australia-style ban.The NSPCC, Molly Rose Foundation and Smartphone Free Childhood said tech platforms should not be allowed to offer “risky” features to teenagers such as infinite scrolling, disappearing messages and push notifications. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Over 47,000 Samsung Electronics workers set to strike as wage talks break down, sending shares lower
More than 47,000 Samsung Electronics workers will begin a strike on Thursday after wage negotiations between the company and its union broke down.
cnbc.com
U.S. indicts four Chinese container manufacturers alleging pandemic-era price-fixing cartel
China International Marine Containers, Singamas Container Holdings, Shanghai Universal Logistics Equipment, and CXIC Group Containers colluded to cut container output: DOJ
theguardian.com
AI engineer says Google unfairly sacked him after he protested against work for Israel
Exclusive: Employment tribunal claim says worker lost his job after distributing leaflets throughout London officeGoogle is facing a legal challenge from an AI engineer who claims he was unfairly dismissed after he protested against its work for the Israeli government, in the latest sign of growing concern about the social and ethical impacts of AI.The engineer distributed flyers around Google DeepMind’s London offices, which read “Google provides military AI to forces committing genocide” and asking colleagues: “Is your paycheck worth this?” He also emailed colleagues about Google’s 2025 decision to drop a promise not to pursue weapons that harm people and surveillance violating international norms and urged them to unionise. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘The door to the future of Gaza is still closed’: Trump’s reconstruction promises stall
Diplomatic impasse and lack of progress on the ground has left countries that pledged funds to Board of Peace reluctant to payGaza is in a grim limbo more than seven months after Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire deal: no reconstruction is under way, the so-called Board of Peace is struggling with funding and Palestinian technocrats chosen to run the strip are sidelined in Egypt.In a 15 May submission to the UN security council, the Board of Peace said the “principal obstacle” to realising Trump’s plan for Gaza was Hamas’s refusal to hand over its weapons and cede control of the strip – but several people familiar with the body said funding shortfalls could jeopardise the effort. Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Ghost brokers' targeting 17 to 25 year-olds with fake car insurance online
The finance watchdog warns bogus brokers are selling fake car insurance through social media.
cnbc.com
CNBC's UK Exchange newsletter: From Manchester to Westminster? Britain’s potential next PM comes under scrutiny
As Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham looks to replace U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, his record in office is receiving attention.
cnbc.com
China confirms order for 200 Boeing planes, calls aviation key area for U.S. cooperation
China has agreed to buy 200 Boeing jets, its first major order in nearly a decade, U.S. President Donald Trump said last week.
bbc.com
Boss of Sarah Ferguson-linked firm used royal links to threaten worker with jail
In a recording obtained by the BBC, the worker was threatened with jail for allegedly hacking emails at lifestyle app vVoosh.
theguardian.com
The balance of global power is shifting fast, but Britain is stuck in the same old Brexit rut | Rafael Behr
Without a reckoning about the epic strategic error of leaving the EU, there is no serious debate about the country’s future place in the worldWhile the Labour party was in meltdown last week, Donald Trump was visiting China. By the time Wes Streeting had sent his resignation letter to Keir Starmer, the US president had completed a two-hour bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, and moved on to sightseeing.The events unfolded in parallel, but in the competition for media and Westminster attention the superpower summit couldn’t rival manoeuvres against the prime minister. That is normal. A domestic crisis will always bump foreign events off the news agenda.Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘A world-class producer’: English wines toast record gold medal haul
England wins highest percentage per entry at International Wine Challenge, with Kent the country’s best regionEnglish wines won the highest percentage of gold medals per entry in a global competition, with experts describing the improvement as remarkable.At the International Wine Challenge, English wines are winning more gold medals than ever. In 2025, the country won 10, but this year it was awarded 25.M&S Champagne Delacourt Vintage Blanc de Blancs 2017, FranceM&S Collection Barossa Valley Shiraz 2024, AustraliaExceptional Botrytis Riesling 2017, Aldi, New ZealandExceptional Asti NV, Aldi, ItalyFletcher’s LBV Port 2021, Aldi, PortugalTesco Finest Picpoul de Pinet 2024 Les Costières de Pomerols, FranceTesco Finest Barolo 2021 Fratelli Martini Secondo Luigi, ItalySainsbury’s Taste the Difference Rioja Gran Reserva 2018, CVNE, Spain Continue reading...
bbc.com
China confirms it will buy 200 Boeing jets after Trump-Xi summit
The two sides will also work towards an extension to the tariffs truce they agreed in October, China's Commerce Ministry said.
cnbc.com
Nvidia to launch Singapore research hub as city-state boosts AI plans
Singapore has announced a new Nvidia research center and its first testbed to research, test and deploy physical AI, along with industry leaders.
cnbc.com
Singapore inks AI deals with Google, OpenAI as ChatGPT-maker commits $234 million to local ecosystem
Singapore has signed new partnerships with Google and OpenAI to strengthen the city-state's position as a global AI hub and accelerating AI deployment.
theguardian.com
Did Trump really rescue Venezuela? – podcast
Tom Phillips on life in the country four months after the US abduction of the former president Nicolás Maduro“The last time I flew out of Venezuela was right at the start of August 2024, just after the disputed presidential election,” the Guardian’s Latin America correspondent, Tom Phillips, tells Annie Kelly.“It was a moment of real turmoil. There was a huge wave of repression that was unfolding as Nicolás Maduro tried to silence any kind of dissent to his bogus claim to have won that election. Thousands were thrown in prison, many were going underground, and journalists were racing to get out of the country.” Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Goldman Sachs says AI and energy resilience are creating a North-South divide in Asian markets
North Asian markets are outperforming South Asian markets, supported by stronger fiscal ability and AI developments, Goldman said.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Bond markets and the Senate rebuke Trump as Iran war worries linger
Trump faces resistance at home even as inflation expectations rise and affordability looms large ahead of the midterms.
cnbc.com
U.S. Treasurys are now firmly in the 'danger zone,' strategists say
U.S. Treasurys are in a "danger zone" as surging long-term yields raise fears that sticky inflation could begin spilling over into equities, strategists said.
cnbc.com
Another Trump victory: Republican Rep. Thomas Massie loses Kentucky primary
President Donald Trump had targeted Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., for opposing GOP priorities.
bbc.com
Adverts for DNA self-swab kits banned as misleading
The Advertising Standards Authority has ruled Enough's online posts contained unproven claims.
bbc.com
UK should set maximum working temperature rules, advisers say
Successive governments have failed to prepare the UK for extreme heat, the climate watchdog says.
theguardian.com
UK ‘built for climate that no longer exists’ and needs urgent changes to survive global heating, report warns
Landmark report calls for widespread air conditioning and says UK temperatures forecast to exceed 40C by 2050Britain must think like a hot country – otherwise inequalities will only growBritish homes will need air conditioning to survive predicted levels of global heating, the government’s climate advisers have warned in a report, as measures such as drawing curtains, opening windows and growing trees for shade are not likely to be enough.Air conditioning should be installed in all care homes and hospitals within the next 10 years, and in all schools within 25 years, according to the Climate Change Committee (CCC), which published a major report on adapting to the impacts of global heating on Wednesday. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Spending watchdog warns £38bn cost of Sizewell C nuclear plant is ‘risky’
National Audit Office says potential benefits are ‘considerable but uncertain’ while risks are ‘immediate and substantial’The cost of the government’s £38bn nuclear plant in Suffolk is subject to “significant uncertainty” and may outweigh the benefits for UK households until at least 2064, according to the government’s spending watchdog.The National Audit Office (NAO) has warned that although the potential benefits of the Sizewell C nuclear plant are considerable, they remain uncertain. The risks, however, are “immediate, substantial and borne by the public”. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Senate advances measure to end military action in Iran in rebuke to Trump
The war with Iran has now blown past the 60-day requirement under the War Powers Act for the president to seek the authorization of Congress.
bbc.com
Google to release first smart glasses since Google Glass flop
The glasses will go on sale sometime in autumn and allow Google's artificial intelligence product to interact with a user.
bbc.co.uk
Business Daily
Trump's pick for the US Fed chair risks rebuke from the president if rates do not fall
theguardian.com
Can Burnham turn ‘Manchesterism’ into a practical offer for government?
Roots of idea for ‘ending neoliberalism’ have been growing over many months – with many different influencesManchesterism is “the end of neoliberalism”. That was the claim made by Andy Burnham in his campaign launch video this week – a film which made an audacious offer not just to his byelection constituents in Makerfield, but how he intended to change national politics and the economy.But the 2026 doctrine of Manchesterism is very different to its 19th-century namesake, when it was a byword for free trade. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Faisal Islam: Why a full HS2 line could still be built despite the latest fiasco
The Transport Secretary has said the high-speed rail line will not be completed until 2039.
bbc.com
NS&I to begin contacting victims of lost funds scandal
Over 30,000 estates could not be accessed due to an error identifying all of a late customer's NS&I products.
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on saving for old age: alarming shortfalls set the scene for a pensions overhaul | Editorial
Auto-enrolment has made retirement more secure for many. But some groups, including women, need more support Recommendations from the government-backed Pensions Commission are not due until next year. But its interim warning that at least 15 million Britons are not saving enough for retirement already signals the scale of the challenge. The trend towards increasing longevity means that the issue of retirement incomes is unavoidable. At some point during the next decade, a threshold is expected to be reached whereby there are three pensioners for every 10 working-age adults.The decision to reconvene this expert group was a good one. The automatic enrolment system it proposed has been a success, with around 90% of eligible employees signing up since 2012, along with their employers. But millions of low-paid workers, as well as the vast majority of self-employed people, face an uncertain future unless they too are helped to plan and save. One suggestion, made by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) as part of its own pensions review, was that HM Revenue and Customs could oversee a system whereby self-employed taxpayers would be enabled to make pension contributions at the same time as paying their tax bill.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on domestic workers: Indonesia shows that, against the odds, they are fighting for their rights | Editorial
Tens of millions of women and men worldwide are isolated and enjoy fewer protections than other labourers. Landmark legislation is a sign of hopeDomestic workers are used to hard graft for minimal reward. But in Indonesia, more than two decades of activism has finally paid off. Last month, the country’s parliament passed legislation classifying them as workers, ensuring that they are entitled to health insurance, days off and pensions. It also outlaws hiring under-18s for such jobs. For more than four million people, this is a significant step forward.The challenges go far beyond Indonesia. There are around 75 million people in the sector worldwide, experiencing “lower wages, fewer benefits and fewer legal or social protections than other workers”, says the International Domestic Workers Federation. Three-quarters of them are women. Because they work in people’s homes they are isolated, and many get little or no time off. That makes them particularly vulnerable to abuse by employers and particularly hard to organise. Accommodation is often grim and food inadequate.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
NS&I to contact bereaved families owed £367m after missing savings scandal
The bank’s interim chief executive says ‘this issue should never have happened’, but warns it may take time to process claimsNational Savings and Investments bank will start to contact thousands of families affected by a missing savings scandal next week, as it confirmed how much they are owed.In March, the chief executive of the state-backed bank was forced out after it emerged there had been long-running problems with the tracing of accounts belonging to customers who had died. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump says he was 'an hour away' from Iran strike decision before he postponed it
Asked how long Iran has to come to the table, Trump said it could be two or three days, or perhaps until Sunday or early next week.
theguardian.com
Influencer fees: why the National Trust is making TikTokers cough up
The charity is in the headlines yet again, this time for asking people filming paid-for content on its sites to pay a fee. Is it all just a storm in a tea room?Name: The National Trust.Age: 131. The National Trust was founded in 1895. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Musk v Altman: tech bros at war over OpenAI – The Latest
A long and bitter legal battle between tech billionaires Elon Musk and Sam Altman has culminated in victory for the OpenAI boss. Musk has vowed to appeal the verdict. But what did the trial reveal about big tech and the global AI race? Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian US tech and power reporter Nick Robins-Early Continue reading...
theguardian.com
What are Samsung union workers demanding and how might a strike play out?
Nearly 48,000 workers are threatening an 18-day walkout amid fears of global memory chip shortagesThe South Korean memory chip maker Samsung Electronics is facing its worst-ever strike, with nearly 48,000 workers threatening to walk off production lines on Thursday for 18 days over a dispute about bonus payouts.Here are key things to know: Continue reading...
bbc.com
Son of Mango boss arrested over father's fatal fall from cliff
Isak, 71, died in December 2024 after falling from a ravine while walking in the Montserrat mountains near Barcelona.
bbc.com
Petrol hits highest price since start of Iran war
The average price of unleaded has risen to 158.52p a litre, according to the RAC, who warn that it could rise further in the coming weeks.
cnbc.com
Japan, China lead foreign government retreat from U.S. Treasurys as Iran war fallout stokes currency fears
The sell-off came as the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict and resulting surge in crude oil prices sent the yen and other Asian currencies tumbling.
bbc.com
HS2 could cost up to £102.7bn and trains will be slower than first planned
The new cost range and train speed are being announced as a "reset" of the delayed, over-budget and vastly scaled-back project is carried out.
theguardian.com
Energy bills will rise by £209 a year to £1,850 from July, forecaster says
Cornwall Insight predicts rise in price cap of nearly 13% in Great Britain as Iran war pushes up gas costsEnergy bills for households in Great Britain could increase by more than £200 a year to almost £1,900 from this summer in “a kick in the teeth” for millions struggling with the cost of living crisis.A typical gas and electricity bill is forecast to rise to the equivalent of £1,850 a year from July under the industry regulator Ofgem’s quarterly price cap, according to analysis by the energy consultancy Cornwall Insight. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Swatch boss says crowds are 'good news' after watch launch sparks chaos
Nick Hayek Jr says the pocket watch launch saw "overcrowding like hell" at a small number of its UK stores.
bbc.com
New High Street crime unit to target gangs fronting shops after BBC investigation
It follows BBC News exposing drug gangs, money laundering, immigration crime, and ghost directors linked to shop fronts.
cnbc.com
2026 CNBC Disruptor 50: See the full list of companies, rankings, and a new leader in the AI race
CNBC reveals the 2026 Disruptor 50 list led by an increasingly powerful and highly valued group of AI companies.
bbc.com
'I sold it for over £1k': Why people want new Swatch
The launch of an exclusive pocket watch has sparked a frenzy that forced stores worldwide to close and in some cases saw police officers and security deal with huge unruly crowds.
bbc.com
Elon Musk has lost yet another legal battle. Why he'll still keep fighting
Musk has lost his high-profile lawsuit against OpenAI, but is not likely to change his aggressive style.
bbc.com
UK unemployment rate unexpectedly rises
The number of UK job vacancies also fell to its lowest level in five years as the initial impact of the Iran war on businesses starts to be seen.
theguardian.com
No feelgood factor for Reeves as Iran war snuffs out economic upturn
Rise in unemployment and weak pay growth underline how tough this year will be for UK householdsUK unemployment unexpectedly rises to 5%News that the UK unemployment rate jumped back to 5% in March appears to be the latest evidence that the Iran war has snuffed out the economic upturn Rachel Reeves had hoped to see in 2026.The Office for National Statistics reports that, after an unexpected fall in the unemployment rate to 4.9% in last month’s data, it ticked back up to 5% between January and March – the first set of figures affected by the conflict. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Starbucks Korea sacks CEO over controversial 'Tank Day' promotion
Starbucks withdrew the campaign for its drink tumblers after many said it referenced a bloody crackdown.
bbc.com
Standard Chartered to cut thousands of roles as AI use increases
The UK-headquartered banking giant aims to move some of the effected workers to other roles in the business.
theguardian.com
Farage’s undisclosed £5m gift – podcast
Anna Isaac on Nigel Farage’s response to the Guardian revelation that he was given an undisclosed £5m gift from a crypto billionaire in 2024Just weeks before Nigel Farage decided to run as an MP in the 2024 general election, he accepted a £5m gift from the cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne.“When MPs become members of parliament, they are given a copy of the code of conduct,” the Guardian’s City editor, Anna Isaac, tells Annie Kelly. “These are the rules that every MP has to adhere to. And in that code of conduct it says that you need to declare benefits and financial interests. So within 28 days of becoming an MP, you need to go back through your books, through your finances for 12 months beforehand.” Continue reading...
bbc.com
Robo-top: The machines that could make your next t-shirt
Most clothes are made in Asia, but new machines could bring some of that work back to the West.
bbc.com
Musk loses OpenAI court battle after jury finds he waited too long to sue
Jurors spent weeks hearing about Musk's claim that Altman had "stolen a charity."
bbc.com
Faisal Islam: Burnham seeks to calm markets by committing to fiscal rules
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is looking to manage the markets as well as the Makerfield byelection
bbc.com
Oil price slumps as Trump says he called off Iran attacks
Energy markets have been on a wild ride as the key Strait of Hormuz waterway remains effectively closed.
bbc.com
'I sold it for over £1k': Swatch launch sparks 'chaotic' scenes
Some shoppers have been trying to resell a new line of watches priced at £335 each for up to £16,000.
theguardian.com
‘Absolutely beautiful’ but no shops for miles: the Cotswolds’ rural food deserts
Deep-rooted problems of food inequality are hidden behind area’s affluence and beautyRural Britain is becoming ‘food desert’ for lower-income families, study findsWhat does a “food desert” look like? In the case of the modestly affluent Cotswolds village of Kempsford, very pretty. When I visit the sun is shining from cloudless blue skies on to lovely honey-coloured stone houses, some draped in purple wisteria.Aside from the loud hum of US air force planes revving up at the nearby Fairford airbase it’s a picture of rural calm. There’s a primary school and a pub. A house on the main street is called “The Old Bakery”. But there is no shop selling food for miles. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Purple pain: backlash over Mexico City’s ‘axolotlisation’ for World Cup
Mayor’s attempt to beautify the city with murals of mascot and plum paint jobs criticised as waste of resourcesThe giant purple axolotl peered up at Manuel Martínez from the black bitumen of the street. It was the second such painting of the rare amphibian he had walked past that morning. In recent weeks he had seen axolotl murals pop up in neighbourhoods across Mexico City.“It’s a waste of money,” he said. “You could use that budget for fixing potholes, traffic lights, security cameras. They’re spending on something that doesn’t benefit us at all – it’s just for tourists.” Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Weight-loss wars go global as Novo Nordisk bets big on its Wegovy pill
The weight loss pill had a strong U.S. launch this year, and Novo believes that will be replicated in other markets around the world.
theguardian.com
A house for £1? What a day at a property auction taught me about the UK housing crisis
Some of the homes have been repossessed, while others are being sold off by debt-laden housing associations. Who buys them – and who will end up living there?Amid the high-stakes bustle of numbered paddles shooting up and gavels banging down, an unexpected voice calls desperately from the corner of the auction room. “That’s my house,” shouts the woman, watching her home of 20 years up for sale.“I live there. You can tell the people who are bidding I’m not coming out of my house,” she continues. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Why does Amazon have no Western rivals?
The internet giant dwarfs other online retailers on both sides of the Atlantic.
bbc.com
Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'
One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.
theguardian.com
‘The end of the road’: the man on a mission to take Barcelona back from overtourism
José Antonio Donaire is not against tourists but wants to return the city to its residents – and he is starting with its most iconic marketAfter decades of relentlessly marketing their vibrant Mediterranean city, the Barcelona authorities have appointed a man on a mission to say “no more” – and, he says, to return its most iconic market back to local residents.Last year, the Barcelona area attracted 26 million visitors, up 2.4% on 2024. The appointment of José Antonio Donaire as the city’s first commissioner for sustainable tourism represents a significant change of heart and a shift away from viewing tourism as an unalloyed good to believing it is alienating citizens and eroding the Catalan capital’s identity. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Inside the secretive and lucrative world of orchid breeding
It can take a decade to bring a new orchid to market, so breeders keep their hi-tech processes secret.
bbc.com
Big tech bets on new mascots in bid to seem more cuddly
The likes of Apple, Microsoft and Google are all putting cartoon characters centre stage.
bbc.com
Smart glasses are 'an invasion of privacy' - Meta's are selling better than ever
The biggest tech firms are set to sell millions of smart glasses despite growing privacy concerns.
bbc.com
Not so dusty: How tech is changing woodworking
Woodworking shops have been transformed by tech to make tools safer and more precise.
bbc.com
Cyber-crime increasingly coming with threats of physical violence
While hackers used to sneak into computer systems, intimidation of staff is now more common.
bbc.com
How sunburn inspired a new way to store energy
Molecules that can capture heat could be a useful technology to decarbonise heating.
bbc.com
How Sir David Attenborough built 'Green Hollywood'
The city is responsible for 80% of the world's natural history TV shows.
bbc.com
Gulf economies face long-term hit from Iran conflict
Commentators say it will take years or even decades to repair the damage.
bbc.com
Robots move in as waste firms struggle to find staff
Humanoid robots are being added to the automation of waste sorting.
bbc.com
The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
bbc.com
Will AI lead to more accurate opinion polls?
It's cheaper and faster to collect people's opinions using AI, but will it make polls more accurate?
bbc.com
Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like
Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
bbc.com
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
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